Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY334389 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2006 Inspection date Karen Louise Prager Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered minder since May 2006.The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 15 years and eight years in Purton, near Swindon in Wiltshire. The whole of the house is available for childminding. The family have a dog and a rabbit which is kept in a cage in the lean-to. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children part time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to St Mary's Primary school to take and collect children. She takes children to the local parks, library and shops. She regularly attends meetings for childminders and their children. There is good access to local bus routes.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily chances for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from the local school or when playing in the nearby play park. During these outings, children have the opportunity to develop their large muscle skills whilst using a range of apparatus. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs, for example school age children resting after school or babies having an additional daytime sleep.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their understanding of good hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. For example, they are aware of the need to wash their hands after touching the dog or rabbit or before eating. The premises are kept clean and are well maintained. Children benefit from the childminder acting as a good role model, her understanding of first aid and her awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if accidents occur or children require medication.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their understanding of good nutrition through the wide range of snacks they enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. Drinks are readily available. The childminder discusses the benefits of healthy eating and which foods and drinks contribute to this. Allergies or parental preferences are discussed prior to a child commencing in the setting and updated regularly. Any requirements are recorded and accommodated. Parents provide children's lunches, which are then correctly stored in the fridge.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and rest within premises that are secure, warm and welcoming to parents and children. They are able to visit the toilet independently, which helps them to develop their self-care skills. Children are learning to share responsibility for their own safety by tidying away resources, which helps to reduce trip hazards. Children benefit from the range of safety measures that are in place to support their safety and help prevent accidents. For example, hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children, socket covers are fitted to exposed electric points and a gate prevents children having unsupervised access to the kitchen.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with an increasing range of frequently rotated, clean, well-maintained equipment. They are able to self-select from age appropriate resources that are readily available. Such free choice opportunities help children to develop their independence and sense of belonging within the setting. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and on going maintenance of toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There are effective arrangements for making parents fully aware of the provider's child protection responsibilities, prior to commencing in the setting. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear very settled, relaxed and confident within the setting. They freely make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, the children climb onto the sit-and-ride toy and make a phone call, or plan activities for Halloween. Children are continually well occupied and the childminder well deployed. Children benefit from the active involvement of the childminder in their play, such as when playing with the stacking rings. She ensures all children receive good quality, individual attention. As a result, children are learning and developing new skills whilst in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have a warm, positive relationship with the friendly caring childminder. This positive interaction helps children to feel 'at home' and self assured whilst in the provision. Children undertake a range of local outings, such as walks with the family dog and to the library and shops. Such activities enable children to increase their awareness of their local environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as respected individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them increasingly well, having a very clear understanding of their differing needs and being aware of their home circumstances. There is a limited range of resources which support children’s developing awareness of diversity in society.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. Their behaviour is supported by a childminder who acts as a very positive role model, maintains agreed ground rules and has a clear understanding of effective strategies to encourage positive behaviour. Children relate well to each other, are developing their social skills and are learning the difference between right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. There are daily opportunities to share children's achievements and to discuss any childcare issues. This positive approach helps to ensure a consistency in children's care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a newly registered early years practitioner. She is well organised, making good use of the available play space within the provision to meet children's needs. For example, there is a clear area that is sectioned off for the family dog and babies can sleep uninterrupted upstairs with a safety alarm to help monitor their sleep.

p.4

Organisation

All legally required paperwork is carefully maintained and easily available to support children's care. For example, children's daily arrival and departure times are carefully recorded. This helps to ensure there is an accurate record of when a child is actually in the childminder's care. The childminder is currently unclear of the updated requirements regarding the investigation and recording of complaints. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that your complaints procedure fully complies with Children Act Regulations • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5